Ray V. Pierce

Representative from New York.

Ray Vaughn Pierce
Frontispiece of 1888's The People's Common Sense Medical Advisor
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New York's 32nd district
In office 1879–1880
Preceded by	Daniel N. Lockwood
Succeeded by	Jonathan Scoville
Member of the New York State Senate from the 31st district
In office 1878–1879
Preceded by	E. Carleton Sprague
Succeeded by	Benjamin H. Williams
Personal details
Born	(1840-02-04)February 4, 1840 Stark, New York, U.S.
Died	February 4, 1914(1914-02-04) (aged 73) St. Vincent Island, Florida, U.S.
Resting place	Forest Lawn Cemetery, Buffalo, New York, U.S.
Political party	Republican

Born in Stark, New York, Pierce was the son of Duane and Mary (Morse) Pierce. He attended public and private schools, and taught school before deciding to become a doctor. In 1862, he graduated from Eclectic Medical College in Cincinnati, Ohio. He practiced medicine in Titusville, Pennsylvania, from 1862 to 1866, and moved to Buffalo, New York, in 1867.

Pierce engaged in the manufacture and sale of patent medicines and established the Invalids' Hotel and Surgical Institute. His manufacturing business started with "Doctor Pierce's Favorite Prescription", which he followed with other medicines, including Smart Weed and Dr. Pierce's Pleasant Pellets. His venture proved a success, with nearly one million bottles of Dr. Pierce's Smart Weed and other preparations shipped annually.

 

He was a member of the New York State Senate (31st D.) in 1878 and 1879. Pierce was elected as a Republican to the 46th United States Congress, holding office from March 4, 1879, to September 18, 1880, when he resigned.

After leaving Congress, Pierce resumed his business interests, and was publisher of a book, the People's Common-sense Medical Adviser.

Pierce died on February 4, 1914, at his home on St. Vincent Island, Florida, where he had founded a game preserve. He was interred at Forest Lawn Cemetery, Buffalo, New York.

Pierce was married to Mary Jane Smith. They were the parents of five children, three of whom reached adulthood: Valentine Mott, known as V. Mott; Hugh C.; and Ralph Waldo, known as Waldo.